Oklahoma Not No. 1 In Switzer`s Ratings

``Ridiculous`` summed up Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer`s initial reaction when he found out several prognosticators had chosen the Sooners No. 1 in their preseason polls.

The problems, according to the winningest active coach in Division I-A, are an unproven quarterback and an inexperienced secondary.

True, sophomore Troy Aikman is not the typical Sooner wishbone quarterback, but Switzer himself admits the slow Aikman has the best arm he`s ever seen at Oklahoma. And with fullbacks Earl Johnson and Lydell Carr and halfback Spencer Tillman, Aikman shouldn`t have to be a primary runner.

True, Sonny Brown is the only returnee in the secondary, but the rest of the defense is filled with all-stars. The brightest is All-America nose guard Tony Casillas, quite possibly the country`s most dominant lineman. Defensive end Kevin Murphy ``has the same ability as Casillas,`` according to Switzer, and Brian Bosworth heads an outstanding group of linebackers.

Oklahoma has 51 lettermen and 16 starters back from last year`s club that went 9-2-1 and finished the season ranked sixth in the country. Eight starters are back from the unit that led the nation in rushing defense and was second in overall defense.

So, Switzer`s skepticism aside, the Sooners top The Tribune`s Top 20. It will be awhile before Oklahoma has a chance to live up to the billing. The Sooners don`t open the season until Sept. 28 against Minnesota.

``I`m concerned about two games--Minnesota and Kansas State,`` said Switzer. ``When we play Minnesota, they`ll already have played two games. It`ll be Kansas State`s fifth game. They could be 4-0 or 3-1 by the time we play them. It`s always a disadvantage to open so late.``

The Sooners` final game against Southern Methodist also will be a tough one. SMU, ineligible for a bowl game appearance this season, probably would need an unbeaten season to have a chance at the national title. ``Oklahoma will be our bowl game,`` said coach Bobby Collins.

SMU has the talent to compete with anyone in the country. All-conference quarterback Don King returns for his senior year after throwing for 1,598 yards in 1984. Tailbacks Reggie Dupard and Jeff Atkins are probably the best duo in the Southwest Conference. And eight starters return on defense. The Mustangs will be after their fifth consecutive 10-victory season.

Auburn coach Pat Dye switched his offense from the wishbone to the I-formation during spring drills to get the ball into Bo Jackson`s hands more often. Auburn wasn`t satisfied with its 9-4 finish and Liberty Bowl victory in 1984. It had been picked in many preseason polls to finish No. 1. Jackson`s broken shoulder crushed that dream.

The healed Heisman Trophy candidate is one of 10 starters returning on offense. Defense is another story. Six starters return. Dye said his biggest concern is at linebacker.

The Florida defense led the Southeastern Conference a year ago and could well do so again, thanks to people like All-America linebacker Alonzo Johnson and cornerback Jarvis Williams. At quarterback, Kerwin Bell was SEC Player of the Year in 1984 as a freshman walk-on. Florida ran the ball 58 percent of the time last year behind a huge offensive line known as ``The Great Wall of Florida.`` The wall has crumbled, though, with four starters having departed. Illinois, Iowa and Ohio State all are represented in the major preseason polls, but the order varies widely.

It`s tough to argue against Illinois` strong core of returning talent, which includes All-America candidates in quarterback Jack Trudeau, receiver David Williams, fullback Thomas Rooks, defensive back Craig Swoope and offensive lineman Jim Juriga. But a killer schedule could cut down the Illini early.

They play Southern California, Nebraska and Ohio State in three of their first four games. On the other hand, early victories against these powers would boost Illinois to the top of the charts.

``This is probably a good year for us to play a schedule like that, if there is ever a good year,`` said Illinois coach Mike White. ``We are obviously now a contending team in the Big 10. We have a schedule that gives us a chance to get some national exposure as well as just to see how good we are.``

Iowa can`t go wrong offensively with quarterback Chuck Long, healthy running back Ronnie Harmon, a veteran line and the best receivers coach Hayden Fry thinks he has had at Iowa.

The defense will be built around All-America linebacker Larry Station, who made 132 tackles in 1984. Seven starters need to be replaced on defense, but Fry said, ``We`re confident by midseason the defense will be back to where we belong.``

Big 10 champion Ohio State has no shortage of people in the skill positions. Heisman Trophy candidate Keith Byars deservedly gets all the attention, and the talent show continues with sophomore receiver Chris Carter, one of the best in the Big 10. But the inexperienced offensive line will be suspect until proven otherwise.

Maryland was voted No. 1 in their league by the Atlantic Coast Conference coaches, but first the Terrapins will have to struggle through nonconference games against Penn State, Boston College, West Virginia and Michigan. Maryland has 17 starters back.

Washington, ranked No. 2 last year, has lost ``a lot of strength, quickness and experience,`` said coach Don James of a team that returns nine starters.

Southern Cal, however, should be the Pac-10 favorite. USC won the Rose Bowl and finished at 9-3 largely because of a strong defense.